Mechanism for the control of weft threads in shuttleless looms



p 1966 v. M. J. ANCET ETAL 3, 36

MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROL OF WEFT THREADS IN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Filed Sept. 23, 1964 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR5 p 1966 v. M. J. ANCET ETAL 3,272,236

MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROL OF WEFT THREADS IN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Filed Sept.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nmmmr 1W United States Patent Office 3 272,236 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 3,272,236 MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROL OF WEFT THREADS IN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Victor Marie Joseph Ancet, Villa Santa-Lucia, Golfe-Juan, Alpes Maritime, France, and Marius Fayolle, also known as Marcel Fayolle, Rue de lHumieite, Lyon,

Rhone, France Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,553 Claims priority, applicgliiggsspain, Sept. 25, 1963,

3 Claims. (61. 139-122 called specifically colored wefts.

This invention is based on an earlier French patent, issued to Victor Marie Joseph Ancet and Marius Fayolle, [also known as Marcel Fayolle, Patent No. 1,125,586, dated July 16, 1956, which discloses the use of a weft thread feeding die located in the proximity of the shed entrance. The weft thread feeding die mounts so that it can rock and overcome the action of a spring and thereby disconnect an electric contact. The disconnecting of the contact occurs when an excess pressure is temporarily applied to the thread due to the insertion of a pick, or a shift in the shed. This control device permits detection of the absence of such excess pressure for any reason. Consequently, any slackening is detected whether it is due to a snapping of the weft thread or the absence of the weft thread because the thread is not being held by the gripping device.

This invention also relates to a weft thread selection systern which forms the subject of an earlier French patent, issued to Victor Marie Joseph Ancet and Marius Fayolle, also known as Marcel Fayolle, Patent Serial No. 1,132,- 916, dated November 12, 1956, which discloses feeding dies which can descend successively to present the weft threads to the insertion device. All the feeding dies are associated, grouped and aligned in the same vertical plane with a certain liberty of lateral displacement on said plane of alignment. By means of the progressive bearing of one on the other, the laterally displaced feeding dies operate an electric spring contact which is the object of the heretofore cited patent.

The improvement is further based on an earlier French patent, issued to Victor Marie Joseph Ancet and Marius Fayolle, also known as Marcel Fayolle, Patent No. 1,309,-

084, dated October 1, 1962. This patent discloses the control of the weft thread through each of the feeding dies toward the gripping device or weft carrier clamp which will draw the weft threads into the shed. At a predetermined moment, each of the feeding dies is free to rotate upon its axis. This rotary motion is utilized to produce a displacement in a backrest having notches. The backrest is common to all feeding dies and thus insures a breaking of an electric contact for the weft stop motion; this latter will not intervene when the loom stops for the insertion of a pick.

The aforementioned systems give very good results when the weft carrier clamp has to draw through the shed, a single weft thread received from the selector device. However, there are other fabrics which require the drawing of more than one weft thread through the shed in a single pick because the wefts are of different colors or textures. These fabrics will not allow the use of the systems disclosed in the aforementioned patents. Since the weft carrier clamp draws along more than one thread, a snapping of one of the weft threads is insufficient to stop the loom. The loom will not stop because the notched backrest, which acts as a lweft stop element, is common to all weft thread feeding dies. Thus, when the weft carrier claimp draws on several weft thread simultaneously and several of the weft threads snap, but not all, the loom will not be stopped. The performance of the loom is insured as long as there exists a single useful thread in the clamping device.

The present invention tends to overcome all these inconveniences. Instead of utilizing a single weft stop motion element or mobile notched backrest to break the electric contact, which backrest is common to all feeding dies that present weft threads to the gripping device, as shown in a French patent issued to Victor Marie Joseph Ancet and Marius Fayolle, also known as Marcel Fayolle, Patent No. 1,309,084, dated October 1, 1962, the present invention provides descending feeding dies which oscillate upon the drawing of a weft thread therethrough. The oscillatory movement of the die, following its descent, brings a finger attached to the die into contact with a metal strip which is common to all dies. By means of the individual electric contacts on each of said feeding dies, the loom is stopped upon the snapping of a single weft thread, in spite of the fact that the insertion device or weft carrier clarnp grips more than one weft thread in compliance with the requirements of the fabric.

Another distinguishing characteristic of the present invention is that it greatly simplifies the mechanism and excludes all unnecessary elements. The entire mechanism is accommodated in a housing. The lower face of the housing is provided with orifices. A cross bar in the shape of a longitudinal guide bar attaches to the back of the housing parallel to the lower face thereof. The cross bar has orifices in coaxial alignment with the orifices in the lower face of the housing. Rod dies mount vertically in the aligned orifices and are adapted to ascending and descending vertical displacement for presenting the rod dies to the insertion device or weft carrier clamp.

The rod dies are isolated by means of a sheet of electro insulating material which is common to and in axial alignment with all of the said rod dies. This insulating sheet has a plurality of vertical, rectilinear shaped slots formed therein. There is a shaped slot for each of the rod dies mounted in the housing. A lower portion of one of the vertical sides of the shaped slot is enlarged perpendicularly therefrom. A finger integrally attached to each rod die is accommodated within one of the shaped slots and the finger ascends and descends along and within the confines of the shaped slots as the rod die to which it is attached ascends and descends.

Each rod die is bent at its lower end to the shape of an elbow or bend. A descended rod die rotates when the weft thread, which passes through the thread guide at the outer end thereof, is drawn along by the weft carrier clamp. The rotary motion of the rod die radially displaces the attached finger into the enlarged portion of the shaped slot. During the entire travel of the weft thread across the shed, each finger will lie in its respective enlarged portion.

Embedded and attached to the lower portion of the electro insulating sheet is a small metal plate provided with :a number of projections. The projections, shaped similarly to teeth, each align with an inferior angle formed at the bottom of another vertical side of the shaped slot and opposite the side on which the enlarged portion is formed. The metal plate serves as an electric contact that operates by intermittances in the usual manner. The metal plate is common to the inferior angle of each slide and will therefore establish individual contact with each finger of each rod die at said projections. Contact between the metal plate and the fingers is broken when the fingers move within the enlarged portion at the bottom end of the shaped slot by virtue of the clamp drawing the weft thread.

The finger or fingers effect a retracting movement as soon as the Weft thread snaps or is missing. Said movement is accomplished by a helical spring mounted about a bolt attached to the electro insulating sheet. One end of said spring is attached to a nut threaded on said bolt. A rotation of the nut, graduates the tension on an elongated extension at the other end of the spring. The extension is abutted against the finger. Thus, an appropriate and convenient pressure is exerted to cause the retracting movement of the rod die corresponding to the spring. a

For a better comprehension of the inventive idea, several sheets of accompanying drawings illustrate the essence of the invention in a preferred embodiment wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational vie-w of the present invention having a plurality of rod dies in a raised, inactive position prior to selection and presentation by the rod dies;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view in section taken on line A--A of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial front elevational view of the present invention having a plurality of selected rod dies descended to a position at which the weft thread is to be gripped by the weft carrier clamp; and

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational view of the present invention showing the fingers of the selected, descended and rotated rod dies, effectively rotated into the enlarged portion of the bottom of the shaped slot.

In these figures, a housing 1 is preferably formed to the shape of a rectangular box having at least a back wall 25 and a lower face 6. A plurality of rod dies 3 operatively attach to a plurality of cables 2 by means of a number of connecting sleeves 4. Each rod die 3 is connected to a separate cable 2. The cables 2 articulate by means of the sleeve 4 and provide a certain freedom of action for the rod dies 3.

A cross bar 5, in the shape of a longitudinal guide bar, attaches to the back wall 25 of the housing by screws 10 and protrudes outwardly from the back wall 25. The cross bar 5 extends substantially transversely across the housing and is substantially parallel to the lower face 6.

The lower face 6 has a plurality of transversely aligned orifices 30* formed therein. The cross bar 5 has a plurality of transversely aligned holes 31 formed longitudinally thereof. Each hole 31 is coaxially aligned with an orifice 30 positoned therebelow in a spaced apart relationship. A rod die 3 is coaxially positioned within each aligned orifice and hole.

Each cable 2 is connected at one end to a rod die 3 by the sleeve 4 and at another end to a selective weft thread control (not shown).

The selective weft thread control selects the weft threads to be drawn through the loom and operates the corresponding cables 2. The cables 2 axially move the attached rod dies up and down within the coaxially aligned orifices 30 and holes 3 1 as controlled by the selective weft thread control. A selected rod die is moved downwardly to insert its thread in the loom and moved upwardly into a rest position prior to the next selective cycle of the control.

A finger 7 is integrally formed of each rod die 3. Each finger 7 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod die to which it is attached. The finger 7, as an integral part of the rod die, moves relatively vertically as the rod die moves.

An electro insulating sheet 9 is attached to the cross bar 5 by the screws 10. The screws 10 attach both the cross bar 5 land the insulative sheet 9 to the back wall 25 of the housing 1, with the bar 5 positioned between the sheet 9 and the back wall 25. The electro insulating sheet 9 extends transversely, approximately across the housing 1 and covers approximately the bottom half thereof.

Sheet 9 has a plurality of vertical rectilinear shaped slots 8 formed therein which extend transversely across the sheet in a spaced-apart relationship. There is a shaped slot 8 for each rod die 3 in the device. An enlarged open portion 14 is formed of each shaped slot 8 at the lower portion of one vertical side thereof. The slots 8 and the open portions 14 thus integrally combine to form a plurality of generally L-sh-aped open means controlling the vertical and rotational movements of the rod dies. An inferior angle portion or sector 12 is formed of each shaped slot 8 at a lower corner of another vertical side thereof.

As aforesaid, the rod dies 3 are positioned to be axially vertically movable within the aligned orifices 30 in the lower face of housing 6 and holes 31 in bar 5. The rod dies 3 are positioned between the sheet 9 and the backwall 25. As seen in FIGURE 2, the rod dies 3 mount with the fingers 7 facing outwardly. Each finger penetrates through a corresponding aligned slot 8. Thus, as each rod die moves relatively vertically, the finger thereof moves relatively vertically within the confines of its associated slot 8. As the finger 7 reaches the lower end portion of slot 8, the rod die 3 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and the finger is radially movable thereby and positionable in the open portion 14.

A metal plate 11 is built into and embedded in the electro insulating sheet 9. Upstanding portions or teeth 27 formed of the metal plate 11 extend therefrom. A forward portion of each tooth 27 is configured to coincide and align with the angular sector 12 at the lower corner of each shaped slot 8. The metal plate 11 receives current from a contact 13 that is activated by intermittances, in the usual manner, which is synchronized with the displacement and rotation of the rod dies 3. A circuit is completed when a finger 7 is positioned adjacent the angular sector 12 and contacts the tooth 27. The metal plate 11 is configured to provide a complete circuit between a finger 7 and the plate 11 only where each tooth 27 is aligned with a corresponding angular sector 12.

Selected rod dies 3 descend to their lowermost position and a weft carrier clamp 20 (FIGURE 4) draws weft threads 15 relatively to the right. The weft threads '15 pass through thread guides 36 attached to the lower end of each rod die 3. A rotation of the rod dies 3, about their longitudinal axis, is effected and the weft carrier clamp draws the weft thread through the shed. Each rod die is bent at its lower end to the shape of an elbow 34 (FIGURES 2 and 4) adjacent the thread guides 36. The rotation of the rod dies 3 about their longitudinal axis Within the holes 31 and the orifices 30 is provided by the crank action of the elbow 34 and thread forces applied at the thread guides 36 by the weft carrier clamp 20 drawing the threads relatively to the right. As the rod die rotates, the integral finger 7 attached thereto radially displaces rightwardly and positions in the open portion 14. When the finger occupies the open portion 14 during the insertion of the weft thread 15 by the weft carrier clamp 20, electrical contact between the finger 7 and the corresponding tooth 27 is open (FIGURE 4).

In the absence of a weft thread 15, the contact is closed by means of a spring 17. The spring 17 has an integral foot 16 extending tangentially of one end thereof. The foot 16 lies tangentially adjacent the finger 7 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. The spring 17 surrounds a bolt 19 attached at right angles to the sheet 9. Another end of the spring attaches to a nut 18 threaded on the bolt 19. Relatively adjusting the nut 18 tensions the spring 17 and its extending foot '16. The foot 16 presses on the finger 7 against the force due to a weft thread being pulled by the clamp. When a weft thread breaks or is absent, the force exerted by the spring 17 causes the finger 7 to establish an individual contact with the tooth 27 of the metal plate 11 5 at the angular sector 12. When contact is made between the finger 7 and the tooth 27, the loom stops.

All constructive details and characteristics utilized in the realization of the object of the present invention will be considered independent and it is understood that modifications and additions and the use of equivalent means can be introduced in the present invention without differing from the essence thereof.

We claim:

1. Improved mechanism, for use With a selective Weft thread control, a contact activated by intermittences in synchronism with the mechanism and connected to a loom and a weft carrier clamp for pulling selected threads through a shuttleless loom, to stop the loom in the absence of any one weft thread comprising: a plurality of mounted rod dies individually operatively connected at one end to the selective weft thread control; said dies being vertically displaceable under operation of the control, each die having an elbow adjacent the lower end thereof; a thread guide attached to the lower end of each die; each guide having a Weft thread passing therethrough; a finger attached to each rod die and extending radially therefrom, each thread guide and finger attached to their respective selected die radially rotating under tension from the clamp pulling on the thread passing through the guide; means limiting the vertical and radial movements of each finger; mounted spring means biasing each finger against raidal rotation, and counter-rotating each finger in the absence of any thread tension; a mounted electrical contactor connected to the contact, upstanding portions formed integrally of the contactor, one each for each finger; and fingers biased to counter-rotate in the absence of their respective thread touching their associated upstanding portion, so that when a selected weft thread is absent for any reason the loom stops.

2. Improved mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the means limiting the vertical and radial movements of each finger comprises: an electro insulating sheet mounted adjacent the rod die, said sheet having a plurality of vertical, rectilinear shaped slots, each slot having an enlarged Open portion formed outwardly at the lower end of one vertical side thereof and an inferior angle sector formed at the lower end of another vertical side thereof, each slot adapted to accommodate within it, one finger, and the inferior angle of each coinciding and aligning with the upstanding portion associated with the finger therein and enhancing the touching between the finger and upstanding portion.

3. Improved mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein each mounted spring means comprises: a spring body; an integral foot extending from one end of the spring body and biasing against an associated finger, a mounted bolt axially supporting the spring body internally of the spring; a nut threaded on the bolt; and another end of the spring attached to the nut so that adjusting the nut on the bolt graduates the spring force biasing the associated finger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,675,029 4/1954 Butler et al. 139370 FOREIGN PATENTS 541,343 10/1955 Belgium. 1,040,684 5/ 1953 France. 1,309,084 10/1962 France.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

DONALD W. PARKER, Examiner.

H. S. JAUDON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IMPROVED MACHANISM, FOR USE WITH A SELECTIVE WEFT THREAD CONTROL, A CONTACT ACTIVATED BY INTERMITTENCES IN SYNCRONISM WITH THE MECHANISM AND CONNECTED TO A LOOM AND A WEFT CARRIER CLAMP FOR PULLING SELECTED THREADS THROUGH A SHUTTLELESS LOOM, TO STOP THE LOOM IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY ONE WEFT THREAD COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF MOUNTED ROD DIES INDIVIDUALLY OPERATIVELY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE SELECTIVE WEFT THREAD CONTROL; SAID DIES BEING VERTICALLY DISPLACEABLE UNDER OPERATION OF THE CONTROL, EACH DIE HAVING AN ELBOW ADJACENT THE LOWER END THEREOF; A THREAD GUIDE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF EACH DIE; EACH GUIDE HAVING A WEFT THREAD PASSING THERETHROUGH; A FINGER ATTACHED TO EACH ROD DIE AND EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM, ECH THREAD GUIDE AND FINGER ATTACHED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SELECTED DIE RADIALLY ROTATING UNDER TENSION FROM THE CLAMP PULLING ON THE THREAD PASSING THROUGH THE GUIDE; MEANS LIMITING THE VERTICAL AND RADIAL MOVEMENTS OF EACH FINGER; MOUNTED SPRING MEANS BIASING EACH FINGER AGAINST RAIDAL ROTATION, AND COUNTER-ROTATING EACH FINGER IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY THREAD TENSION; A MOUNTED ELECTRICAL CONTACTOR CONNECTED TO THE CONTACT, ONE EACH FOR POSITIONS FORMED INTEGRALLY OF THE CONTACTOR, ONE EACH FOR EACH FINGER; AND FINGERS BIASED TO COUNTER-ROTATE IN THE ABSENCE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE THREAD TOUCHING THEIR ASSOCIATED UPSTANDING PORTION, SO THAT WHEN A SELECTED WEFT THREAD IS ABSENT FOR ANY REASON THE LOOM STOPS. 